Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Seattle?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $10,000/year less, or $130,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Richmond over Seattle?

Average tuition in Richmond is $10,000/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $130,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Richmond and Seattle private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Seattle

Richmond averages $10,000/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $130,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$10,000
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$13,200/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$38,000/yr	-$11,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$20,000/yr	-$8,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$10,000
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$30,500/yr	-$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Richmond saves $130,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $260,000.

Sample Schools

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Washington private school costs

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About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.